Nothing to show for billions

Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has blamed the department of sports for spending huge amounts of money on various projects which are yet to be concluded or cannot give a reflection of the figures spent.

In a report for the year ending June 2022, Gathungu raised queries over the construction of Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga County, Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu County and Posta sports grounds in Nairobi County. This was when Amina Mohamed was the Sports Cabinet Secretary.

According to her, verification of the various projects done by her office established that the said stadiums are yet to be concluded.

With regards to the construction of Sh 1 billion Kirigiti Stadium in Kiambu County and Sh 695.5 million Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga, she noted that contract documents, works programs, site meeting minutes and project status reports were not provided for audit review.

According to her, further, physical verification which was done in November, 2022 revealed that the Project was incomplete yet no explanation was given for the delay in completion of the Project.

“In the circumstances, the value for money realized from the expenditure incurred on the Project for the year ended 30 June, 2022 could not be confirmed.” she said.

On the construction of Posta Sports Ground in Nairobi County at a cost of Sh 1.2 billion, Gathungu regretted that physical verification of the project which was done in November, 2022 although revealed the completion date had lapsed and the Project was ongoing, no explanation was given for the delay in completion of the project.

“In the circumstances, the value for money realized from the expenditure of Kshs.1, 190,971,897 incurred on the Project for the year ended 30 June, 2022 could not be confirmed,” she said.

The department is also on the spot over unsupported fuel cards, Unsupported Repairs and Maintenance Expenditure as well as unsupported Fuel, Oil and Lubricants Expenditure.

With regards to unauthorized Use of Fuel Cards, Gathungu revealed that a review of the Ministerial Human Resource Management Advisory Committee minutes dated 19 January, 2021 revealed deliberations on unauthorized use of fuel card in the Sports register’s office totalling to Sh 1.5 million 

According to her, although the Committee recommended to the Authorized Officer that a Ministerial Human Resource Advisory Sub-Committee comprising two Officers and Internal Auditor be formed to investigate the incident and submit a report of its findings for consideration, documents supporting the action taken against the concerned staff were not provided for audit review.

On unsupported Repairs and Maintenance Expenditure amounting to Sh 2.2 million which was issued to an officer to facilitate motor vehicles service and repairs, she noted that an audit review of the said funds revealed that motor vehicles underwent mechanical repairs without pre and post inspection reports, and details of repairs were not entered in the motor vehicle maintenance logbooks.

“In the circumstances, the completeness, accuracy and validity of the expenditure of Sh 596,667 for the year ended 30 June, 2022 could not be confirmed,” she noted.

With regards to unsupported Fuel, Oil and Lubricants Expenditure amounting to Sh 2.7million, she noted that an audit review of the expenditure revealed that the fuel records were not entered in respective motor vehicle work tickets.

“In the circumstances, the completeness, accuracy and validity of the expenditure of Sh 2, 711,543 for the year ended 30 June, 2022 could not be confirmed,” she said.